Bull Bar - Research

Research your options and needs before buying a Bull Bar

Bull bars are placed on the front and rear bumpers of cars, trucks, SUVs, and other utility vehicles. These bars can help in reducing damage to vehicles that are involved in accidents involving other vehicles or animals. Bull bars can also be used to attach winches, additional lights, and CB antennas.

While definitely providing a finishing touch to a vehicle, they also have a practical side by protecting the front end of the vehicle from animal strike, as well as damage by debris on the road, rocks, brush, logs and other items when you are off-roading.

However, when you are actually buying a bull bar the number of different options may be confusing and it can be difficult to decide which is your best buy. The Buyz123 three step guide - Research, Evaluation, Purchase - is designed to assist you in this buying process.

The Research step firstly involves investigating essential features of bull bars available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a bull bar.

In the Evaluation step you focus on how well the different features of individual bull bars meet your needs, and then how well the most suitable bull bars compare in detail, one to another.

Finally, in the Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the bull bar, what questions to ask and what information you should seek on warranty, customer service, and after-sales support.

As you work though the Buyz123 purchase strategy you will clarify your thoughts about your intended purchase, confidently compare bull bars one to another, and then purchase a bull bar that really does meet your needs.

Step 1: Research

In order to end up with the bull bar best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of bull bars are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a bull bar.

Research the market: Bull Bar essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the bull bar market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Size: Probably the first consideration, as the size of your vehicle will determine what bull bar will work the best. The bigger the bull bar the more protection it will afford, and more of the front end will be covered. Bull bars do add weight to a vehicle, and many bars don't suit all models.

Material: Metal tubing, square rod, plate and other variations and combinations of materials are used. It is important to consider the amount of weight that you want to add to your vehicle when choosing a material.

Finish: A powder-coat finish can be added to have the bull bar match your vehicle, or it can be done in a solid matte black for the more subdued appearance. Chrome can really add eye-appeal, but does show the wear more than some of the other finishes.

Add-ons: Lights, winches, designs or logos can all be added on to both commercial and custom made bull bars.

Cost: Standard items that are not customized are usually less expensive, but may limit what you can do after they are installed.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a bull bar. For example, will you use the bull bar only to make your truck look tough, or do you need to protect your vehicle from brushes with wildlife?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a bull bar before?
	If you have used a bull bar, work out what you did or didn't like about the bull bar. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What size do I want the bull bar to be?
	Bull bars come in several different sizes to fit different vehicles. To determine the correct size of bar you will need to know the make, year and model of the vehicle.

What style of bull bar do I like?
	Bull bars come in several different styles that are rounded, square, closely plated or more open. The more plating or tubing that is on the bull bar the more protected your vehicle will be. The heavier the tubing or plating the more noticeable the bull bar is.

How do I want the bull bar to look?
	Are you looking for a stylish chrome finish to really draw attention to the vehicle or would a powder-coat finish that blends with your current paint be more appealing?

What additional features do I want with the bull bar?
	Some bull bars come with additional mounts for lights, winches, grill covers and other accessories. Do you require any of these features?

What do I want the bull bar for?
	Are you planning on doing heavy duty off-roading where the bull bar is a must to protect the front end, or are you trying to personalize your vehicle and give it a new look?

What is my budget?
	The more options, accessories and details that are added to the bull bar the more costly it will be.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of bull bars and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.


Video Links

Testing Bull Bar - Demo A vivid demonstration of the capabilities of a bull bar. (25s)

Buyz123.com Research Links:

Buyer's guides

What to look for on Bull Bars

Choosing grille guards/bull bars

General information on bull bars

Reasons to buy a grille guard

Bull bars and safety issues

Size/types

Different types of bull bars

The shape and size of bull bars

Bull bar sizes for different makes and models of cars

Extra features to go with your bull bar